6 August 2012
-TIFFANY- The rest of the trip went like a blur: a blur of sea, sand, scuba diving and suntans. We spent everyday doing something gloriously exciting, like diving or swimming in the areas not infested with sharks, or walking around Nate's island or lunching on even smaller deserted islands that were little more than a pile of sand in the middle of the ocean. One part of the trip that stayed constant though, was Nate's overwhelming sense of pride in me, and his never faltering excitement level. I couldn't help but compare him now to how he was before we realised we were parents again, and I finally began to realise how empty he was without our little child. On our last day, during our final session of sunbathing, Nate turned to look at me, and started to pull down the top of my bikini bottoms. "What are you doing?" I cried, slightly taken aback by his confidence. "No one else is here, and I'm trying to avoid this from happening" he said, pointing at the white line that was forming like a belt around my lower hips. "Don't you like my white bits?" I mocked, sticking out my bottom lip. "Oh you know I do" he said, rolling across so he was on top of me, and in prime position for a kiss. "Make the most of this" I told him, fiddling with one of his abdominal muscles. "How come?" he said, his forehead building up a collection of frown lines. "Soon I'll be too big for you to lie on top of me" I said, making him smile and plant a single kiss on my lips. "I can't wait" he said, placing a hand on my toned stomach, and rubbed it around, making sure he covered every square centimetre of it. "You're still excited aren't you? Even though this is our second?" "Of course I am. Do I look any less excited?" he said, focussing his attention back onto my belly. "Well, no. I just don't want you to feel like this child is a replacement for the other one..." "Well I don't feel like that. Tiffany, I'm over the moon. Not only because we've been given another opportunity to have children, but because we're going to be able to spend the rest of our lives together. I love you so much, and I couldn't be prouder right now" "I'm the same. I love you"
-NATE- "Audrey?" I asked as I tentatively stepped back into the headmistress' office when we got back from the Maldives on the Monday morning. "Nate! Oh wow, don't you look brown! How was the honeymoon?" "So amazing thank you. That was what I wanted to talk to you about actually, if that's alright?" "Of course. Here, sit down" she said to me, patting the couch alongside her. It was made of bottle green leather, with ornate mahogany handles that twisted underneath the leather, giving the chair a rich and old feel. "I don't know quite how to put this, but Tiffany's pregnant. Again." I added quickly at the end. First, Mrs. Henderson's expression was one of disbelief. She then passed visibly through the second stage of slight disgust, and then settled with overwhelming happiness. "Oh my goodness! Nate that's amazing, congratulations! You must be over the moon!" "I really am, thank you. But I have two things to request: the first is that you can possibly contact the exam boards and arrange for Tiffany to take her exams in April. She's agreed that she's willing to work twice as hard for them, but we've worked out that the baby is due in late June/early July so she needs to do her exams, if that's at all possible?" "I'll see what I can arrange, but I'm sure that can be done. What else did you have in mind?" "Well, as you were a guest at the wedding, I'm sure you've heard all about our latest scandal regarding Mollie" "Yes I have, I've heard a lot around school too" "We've been trying to ignore it, but I'm worried that with Tiffany staying in the same room as her that it'll all become too much for Tiffany. And now she's pregnant an having to study so much harder I don't want her to have any extra stress" "Actually, I meant to talk to you about this. Mollie's already moved out of the Head Girl's room, leaving it unoccupied. And as that room is still Tiffany's I still want her in there" she explained. "Of course, I understand. Thank you" "I haven't finished yet. I think you should move in with her" "What? I'm sorry?! You're letting me stay with Tiffany?" "Yes, I am. Now, a new door has been fitted just before the corridor leading to her room, which makes it a separate wing to the other girl's rooms, and after discussing it with some members of staff, we've decided it would be appropriate for you to share a room now your married, and expecting" she said, smiling at me. "Mrs Henderson, you have no idea how grateful I am. Really, thank you" "That's alright, you need to look after her now. Obviously, there's a few rules that need to be sorted out. First of all, there's to be no keeping anyone awake past 10pm. I hope I don't need to explain that one for you" she said, pushing her glasses down her nose to look at me and raise her eyebrows. "Then, this new arrangement can't interfere with your swimming or both of your educations. The rule about a maximum of three swimming absences still applies" "Of course, thank you" "And lastly, you'll need permission to go into New York, permission to leave school for scans etcetera and permission to go home from your parents, as usual" "Thank you, that's all fine. I really can't thank you enough! Can I tell Tiffany now?" "Sure you can. I'll come by later and see how you're doing with your unpacking and tell you how I got on with the exam boards" "Thank you so much" I said, shaking her hand. "Come here, we don't need to be so official" she said, as she hugged me "I'm so proud of the two of you, I really am. Anytime you need anything, just come and ask, alright?" "Of course, thanks Audrey" "No problem" she said, settling back into her book.
Love You Too: PART EIGHTY FOUR • Opuss № I